<p>Marc Fonbaustier, 46, France's consul-general in the Chinese semi-autonomous territories, was forced to leave his job after Beijing sought his removal just over a year after taking the top-ranking post, the source said.<br /><br />Another source in Hong Kong said the theft occurred at a private members' club.<br />According to a report in the Apple Daily newspaper, the wine was worth 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (6,440 US dollars).<br /><br />Police and the French consulate in Hong Kong both declined comment today.<br />"We stand by the statement of the spokesman for the foreign ministry last week," a consulate spokeswoman told AFP.<br /><br />On Thursday, the foreign ministry said an "administrative investigation" had begun, adding that Fonbaustier's unspecified actions would "likely not meet the requirements of professional conduct for a French diplomat".<br /><br />"He is suspended from duty," ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.<br />"An administrative investigation has been started based on the circumstances behind the decision."<br /><br />Fonbaustier, who is married with three children, is an alumnus of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration, France's top school for civil servants. He is a former second counsellor at the French embassy in New Delhi.</p>
<p>Marc Fonbaustier, 46, France's consul-general in the Chinese semi-autonomous territories, was forced to leave his job after Beijing sought his removal just over a year after taking the top-ranking post, the source said.<br /><br />Another source in Hong Kong said the theft occurred at a private members' club.<br />According to a report in the Apple Daily newspaper, the wine was worth 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (6,440 US dollars).<br /><br />Police and the French consulate in Hong Kong both declined comment today.<br />"We stand by the statement of the spokesman for the foreign ministry last week," a consulate spokeswoman told AFP.<br /><br />On Thursday, the foreign ministry said an "administrative investigation" had begun, adding that Fonbaustier's unspecified actions would "likely not meet the requirements of professional conduct for a French diplomat".<br /><br />"He is suspended from duty," ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.<br />"An administrative investigation has been started based on the circumstances behind the decision."<br /><br />Fonbaustier, who is married with three children, is an alumnus of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration, France's top school for civil servants. He is a former second counsellor at the French embassy in New Delhi.</p>